Study note • PMID 8321113
Hormonal responses of elite swimmers to overtraining.
How to use this page
This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.
- • Design signal: controlled study.
- • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
- • Consistency: single-study evidence.
- • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.
ELI5
In plain language
Fourteen elite swimmers had measurements of stress hormones taken at five points during a 6-month season: early-, mid- and late-season, during tapering for National Trials, and 1-3 d after… (controlled study; elite athletes).
The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: Fourteen elite swimmers had measurements of stress hormones taken at five points during a 6-month season: early-, mid- and late-season, during tapering for National Trials, and 1-3 d after…
- • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
- • Population: elite athletes.
- • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: taper, tapering (vs comparison group).
- • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
- • Outcomes: Time-trial performance.
- • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.
Fit
Who it may help, and who should be cautious
Who it helps
- • Athletes similar to the study population (elite athletes) working on tapering.
- • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.
Who should be cautious
- • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
- • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.
Methods
What the study actually did
- • Design: controlled study.
- • Population: elite athletes.
- • Comparator: comparison group.
- • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 8321113 (1993) — Medicine and science in sports and exercise.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“Epinephrine levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) after competition compared with values early in the season and shortly before competition.”
Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.
Limits
Limitations and bias
- • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
- • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
- • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
- • This is performance information, not medical advice.
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